How to Bathe a Guinea Pig

Most guinea pigs don't like water. Trying to bathe them may frighten them, and their reaction may lead to an injury[source:

SimplePetCare]. Fortunately, you shouldn't need to bathe your guinea pig more than once every few months unless it gets really dirty or has a medical necessity.

For day-to-day hygiene, you can use one of these alternatives instead of bathing your guinea pig:

Apply guinea pig or rabbit dusting powder to your pet's fur and then brush it with a stiff brush.

Spot clean its fur with warm, soapy water and a washcloth [source: SimplePetCare].

When you do need to bathe your guinea pig, you'll need:

A washcloth

Shampoo for guinea pigs, kittens (not cats) or rabbits

Towels

A blow dryer with a gentle or low setting

A brush

To bathe your guinea pig:

Place a washcloth at the bottom of the sink or bucket you're using so your guinea pig won't slip and slide.

Gently pour warm water on the guinea pig's back, or use slow-flowing, warm water from the faucet.

Thoroughly wet all of your pet except for its face, which it can wash itself.

Work a little bit of shampoo into your guinea pig's fur, following the instructions on the bottle.

Rinse your guinea pig well and make sure you've gotten all the shampoo out of its fur.

Wrap your pet in a towel. If the water soaks through the towel, change to a dry one. Shivering is normal, but keep towel drying your guinea pig until it stops shivering. While towel drying your guinea pig, brush its fur periodically to prevent tangles.

One of the great joys of traveling is sharing your new discoveries with your loved ones -- including your pets. Taking an animal abroad can be complicated, but there are plenty of good reasons to do it.